Is child support still ordered if custody time is equal between the parents in a Louisville divorce? How is the amount of child support determined under Kentucky family law? It is very common for parents to share custody and visitation on a fairly equal basis during and after a Louisville divorce? When is child support ordered if the visitation and parenting time is to be shared on an equal basis?
Kentucky family law is focused upon the best interests of the child. Generally speaking, it is usually in a child’s best interest to spend a roughly equal amount of quality time with each parent. The equal division of visitation – the amount of time a child spends in each parent’s home – has become more of the standard starting point. This presumes the parents are able to effectively share the responsibilities of raising each child in a separate home and there are strategies in place to ensure the educational, health, faith and even extra-curricular interests of the child are maintained.
It is logical to assume that the amount of time the child(ren) will spend with each parent will have an impact on child support under Kentucky child support calculation guidelines. Each case is unique, and your Dodd and Dodd divorce attorney must still begin with a calculation of guideline child support. Is child support still ordered if custody time is equal between the co-parents? In most cases, if the income of each parent is fairly equal and visitation is basically shared equally between the parties there is usually no need for child support.
Every Kentucky parent is legally responsible to provide for the needs of every one of their children. The Kentucky guideline child support calculation takes everything into account, including the amount each party earns and the time they will spend with each party. It is still possible for one parent to owe the other child support, even when child custody is shared equally between the two. There have been cases when a parent who holds the majority of physical custody and visitation has still been ordered to pay child support to the other party.
Guideline support is a starting point. The parties may reach a settlement or agreement that is different than the amount determined by the guideline support calculations. The Court must still review and approve any deviation from guideline calculations.
How will each parent support the needs of each child during and after the divorce? How will child support be determined in your case? Is child support still ordered if custody time is equal between the co-parents? In many cases, a substantial difference between the incomes of each parent will impact the amount of child support owed. Every divorce is unique, and the divorce and family law attorneys at Dodd and Dodd have several decades of experience in these cases. We will help to answer your questions and work to accomplish your goals and objectives for each aspect of your divorce.
We invite you to review the strong recommendations of our former clients and the legal industry and contact Dodd & Dodd or call 502-584-1108 to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys.
